Oakland University Soccer Coach Gary Parsons retires

Jan 22, 2009

(Courtesy of Oakland University Athletic Media
Relations)

ROCHESTER, Mich. - One of the
soccer coaching icons in the state of Michigan, Gary Parsons,
announced his retirement on Thursday after 28 seasons of
outstanding service as the Golden Grizzlies' men's soccer head
coach. Parsons became the 15th Division I coach to reach
350 career wins this season and moved into the top 10 at 363.

"The timing is right for me to leave," said Parsons, a 1973
Plymouth State graduate, former Panther soccer player and a 2006
inductee in the PSU Athletic Hall of Fame. "We have had two
tremendous seasons over the last two years with two Summit League
championships and two NCAA Tournament berths. When I brought Eric
(Pogue) in I told him that I had a timeline of 7-10 years, and that
time has come."

Parsons (left) led the Golden Grizzlies to 27 winning
seasons, seven Summit League championships in 10 seasons, 17 NCAA
Tournaments (four in DI), seven Final Fours and three national
runner-up finishes in Division II. He is the all-time winningest
coach in Summit League history and finished with a 38-15-3 league
record (.703) in his 10 seasons.

"Gary is the pioneer of Oakland University soccer," said Director
of Athletics Tracy Huth. "He brought the program to national
recognition both at the Division I and II levels. Gary will be
missed by everyone on this campus and we wish him well in his
future endeavors."

A three-time Summit League Coach of the Year (2005, '06, '07),
Parsons' teams received two at-large bids to the Division I Men's
Soccer NCAA Tournament (2003, '08), another first in the league. OU
took down Michigan State 2-1 in the tournament last season in East
Lansing and fell to Ohio State this year in a shootout, 4-3.

"The thing I am most proud of is the fact that most of my former
players are giving back to soccer in some capacity," said Parsons.
"Sure the wins and championships are great accomplishments, but
relationships formed over my time here outweigh any of those
things. I didn't really realize that until a couple of years ago
when my alumni would come around and we would talk."

This past season could be one of Parsons' finest. The Golden
Grizzlies won a Div. I school record 14 games and posted another
record with five consecutive shutouts. Their 0.54 goals against
average broke a Summit League record and tied a school record, and
the 12 shutouts posted was also a league record. The Grizzlies won
the regular season Summit League title at 5-1 and were chosen to
host the opening round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in
the Div. I era.

"I always envisioned walking away when the program was at its
peak," said Parsons. "I didn't want to be one of those coaches that
stayed on too long and did not put in the time or effort it takes
to be successful at this level. I feel like this program is hitting
on all cylinders and will continue to very successful in the
future."

Oakland will begin a search for Parsons replacement immediately. An
announcement should be made within the next two weeks.

"We feel like we already have the person to succeed Gary on staff,"
said Huth. "We are hoping to expedite the process of officially
naming his successor."